Nothing
The human condition and experience are a captivating study. A trained counselor listens for certain code words to determine whether someone is in distress for whatever reason. Heavy use of words like ‘never’ ‘always’ ‘nothing’ and certain others are markers of their condition. We have passed through such a time.
My preparation for this coming Sunday’s message, GOING FORWARD Series, the Gospel of Mark 2:13 – 3:6 led me to the chilling human condition or experience when NOTHING that could ever have been done, would have been good enough for lots of people. Jesus could have healed all diseases in the world and lined each of their pockets with a million dollars and under their excessive scrutiny, they would not be satisfied.
What were the four offenses? Jesus ate lunch with people they disliked; Jesus did not fast on the same schedule or at the right places as they planned; Jesus fresh-picked food (allowed by law) out of a field instead of eating dried food at home; Jesus healed a man with a withered hand – to make matters worse – in a synagogue – on the Sabbath. All astonishing ‘crimes.’
Scrutiny is good, necessary. However, for those in distress excessive scrutiny leads to dark places. The script gets flipped. Bad becomes good and good becomes bad. This is why I thought it comforting to search the Scriptures (taken from the ESV), finally, and see how our perfect God wants us to understand the word, ‘nothing,’ as he uses it, and be blessed! This is my last Connections/Blog. We now have growing opportunities to meet face-to-face at church and out to reestablish those connections we enjoy and are dependent upon. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 39:5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 12:2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Panic is passing, the Power of God is permanent!
Seth and Kaitlyn Sanford have a new baby girl, Olivia Renee, 7 lbs, 15 ounces, their third daughter. Mother and Olivia and Dad are doing great! Congratulatons. Natalie and Lauren, enjoy your baby sister.
Linda B, her sister Donna, is now in cancer remission. Good News. Thank you for praying.
Here is a gift to you from our brothers and sisters in Christ meeting together in Hawaii, USA The Hawaii Blessing
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Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin
860-537-3914
Christian Life Chapel
PO Box 91
392 South Main Street
Colchester, CT 06415